Young Persons DP

Important information
To be read before your first meeting with a counsellor
For Young People over 13
Confidentiality
Counselling with a Relate Counsellor is a private and confidential form of help.
It is an opportunity to talk through any concerns and worries you may have.
We know that it is hard to be completely honest with your counsellor if you are worried that what you say may be told to the adults in your life. So it is important that you understand that what you talk about is confidential between you and your counsellor.
The one exception to this is if we are concerned about your safety or the safety of someone else. If we are concerned we will aim to talk through with you our concerns and what the next steps are to
ensure everyone's safety.
If you come to counselling with a partner or your family, the counsellor may suggest seeing each of you individually. It is important for you to know that what is said in those individual sessions will be
confidential and not shared with your partner or family.
If you attend a course or group work programme, confidentiality will be discussed at the first session.
Data protection
The information about confidentiality (above) does not affect your rights under the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 to access personal data that Relate holds on you. Relate keeps confidential records and statistics about all the people who come for counselling. All records are kept securely and are only seen by people who work for Relate, whose job means they need to see
them.
Relate knows that sometimes clients may wish to exercise their rights under the General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 and make a subject access request to see the data held by Relate. If at any time you wish to exercise your right under the Act you should speak to your counsellor they will explain how this can be done, by making a request in writing to the Service Manager and providing evidence of your identity such as a copy of your passport and proof of your address. When the Service Manger receives your written request and evidence of identity they will respond to your request within one calendar month. Relate’s response to a valid subject access request will describe
the personal data we hold on you.
By signing the consent form you acknowledge that you understand and agree with Relate’s subject access policy.
Privacy
Mobile phones
Please switch off your mobile phone during your sessions as it can create an unhelpful distraction
and interruption.
Unauthorised electronic recording
In order for you to work safely and effectively with your counsellor, it is important that the sessions are private and confidential. Please, therefore, do not attempt to record your sessions using any device or app. If we find that recordings have been made, the counselling will have to end immediately and Relate reserves the right to seek legal advice regarding possible further action.
Authorised electronic recording
Occasionally a counsellor, for example one who is undertaking a training course, will need to record a counselling session. If the counsellor wants to record a session you will be asked if you are happy for this to done, and it cannot happen without you agreeing. The consent will tell you all the ways in which the recording will be used (for example training, supervision or research) and will tell you how and when the recording will be destroyed
Codes of ethics and practice
All Relate counsellors and supervisors are required to comply with the code of ethics and practice
that is appropriate to the work they offer.
In addition, all Relate counsellors must comply with Relate’s practice policies and guidance to make sure that they offer counselling to the standard Relate expect.
All our counsellors are supported by their supervisors and receive continuing training to make sure they are up to date with issues.
Feedback and complaints
We really welcome feedback from everyone who receives counselling, we will take it seriously so we
can improve things. Relate has a compliments, concerns and complaints policy which your counsellor, or another member of staff can give you details about.
Confidentiality Statement
Relate offers confidential counselling to all our clients. We will not share information about you with anyone outside Relate unless we have reason to believe that either you or someone else is at serious risk of harm. We will discuss any proposed disclosure with you unless we believe that to do so could increase the level of risk to you or to someone else.
I have read and understood Relates Confidentiality statement.
Name

Date

Data Protection Statement
I consent to Relate* using my personal and sensitive personal data in accordance with the
General Data Protection Regulation May 2018 for the purposes of delivering counselling to me, and for quality assuring, and assessing the effectiveness of those services.
In addition, please tick the yes or no boxes:
I consent to Relate using anonymized information to improve their services
[checkbox* 1st "Yes" "No" exclusive]
I consent to Relate telling me about other services that might interest me
[checkbox* 2nd "Yes" "No" exclusive]
I consent to Relate using anonymized information to improve their services
[checkbox* 3rd "Yes" "No" exclusive]
I have read and understood Relates Data Protection statement.
Name

Date

Cancellation policy
I have read and understood Relates Cancellation Policy.
Name

Date

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